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Definitions

traumatic

[truh-mat-ik, traw-, trou-] / trəˈmæt ɪk, trɔ-, traʊ- /
ADJECTIVE
frightful/frightening
Synonyms
WEAK
alarming appalling atrocious awesome awful chilling daunting dire direful dismaying disquieting dread dreadful fearful fearsome formidable ghastly grabber grim grisly gruesome hair-raising hairy harrowing hideous horrendous horrible horrid horrifying inconceivable intimidating lurid macabre menacing morbid ominous petrifying portentous repellent spooky terrible terrifying unnerving unspeakable
Antonyms
WEAK
calming comforting pleasing
ADJECTIVE
harrowing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agonizing chilling distressing disturbing excruciating heart-wrenching heartbreaking painful terrifying torturous
STRONG
alarming racking soaring tearing tormenting torturing
WEAK
heart-rending nerve-racking
Antonyms
STRONGEST
pleasant
WEAK
calming pleasing unfrightening
ADJECTIVE
nightmarish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awful chilling disquieting dreadful eerie ghastly grim grisly hair-raising hellish horrible horrid horrifying macabre scary spooky terrible terrifying
WEAK
alarming creepy dire direful fearful fearsome ghoulish morbid ominous petrifying unnerving
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calming good nice normal pleasant pleasing soothing wonderful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For example, disruptions in this drainage system may play a role after traumatic brain injury or in neurodegenerative diseases.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

War is always traumatic but this one may have an unexpected consequence.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Jaramilla said in the lawsuit that Cowser had a traumatic experience and continues to suffer from “severe emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation and the loss of enjoyment of life.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

For many families, the process was traumatic and John Ngbako, then secretary of the community in Maitama, remembers his confusion.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

It’s often said that a traumatic experience early in life marks a person forever, pulls her out of line, saying, “Stay there. Don’t move.”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Vocabulary lists containing traumatic

Vocabulary from "Stop Expecting Games to Build Empathy" by Julie Muncy

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Game Changer

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Tears of a Tiger

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!